150: Chapter 150 Reporters Go to the Grassroots

A few sun-tanned villagers spontaneously helped the workers move construction materials, a few children lay on the field ridges watching curiously, and an elderly grandmother with white hair tremblingly brought over homemade herbal tea for the workers.

Under the banyan tree at the entrance of the village, Reporter Zhang Chen interviewed several elderly people who were cooling off.

Seventy-something Old Man Li gestured excitedly: "In the past, this road was covered in dust on sunny days and mud on rainy days."

"Last year, Old Man Wang had a sudden acute illness, and because the road was so difficult to travel, his medical treatment was delayed..."

As the old man spoke, tears welled up in his cloudy eyes.

An auntie nearby took over the conversation: "It's great now. Once the road is repaired, the oranges grown by my family can be transported directly to the county town to be sold!"

Photographer Wang Lu quietly pressed the shutter, capturing this conversation full of anticipation on film.

The sunlight shone on the villagers' simple, smiling faces, and also on that road that was extending further.

At this moment, Photographer Wang Lu truly felt that this was not just an ordinary concrete road, but a road of hope leading to a better life.

Just as the interview was getting deep, a burst of hurried footsteps came from behind.

Reporter Zhang Chen turned around and saw a man around thirty years old walking quickly towards them, followed by several people who looked like township officials.

"Oh my, two reporter comrades, I am truly sorry, I arrived late!"

The man extended his hands from afar, his voice loud and tinged with urgency.

Zheng Shijun quickly introduced: "This is our township's Township Head Mao."

"Township Head Mao, these two are Reporter Zhang Chen and Photographer Wang Lu from the provincial newspaper."

Township Head Mao Yungang hurried over in two or three steps, grabbed Reporter Zhang Chen's hand, and shook it vigorously: "Reporter Zhang Chen, I have long admired you! I am Mao Yungang, the township head of Guantian Township."

He turned to Photographer Wang Lu and bowed slightly: "Photographer Wang Lu, it is really hard work for you to go deep into the grassroots on such a hot day!"

Reporter Zhang Chen noticed that the back of Township Head Mao Yungang's shirt was soaked with sweat, and his leather shoes were stained with fresh mud, clearly having rushed over without stopping.

He responded politely: "Township Head Mao, you are too kind. We have learned a lot from this interview. The villagers have nothing but praise for the Village-to-Village Connectivity Project, and the construction quality is quite solid."

"This is what we should do!"

Township Head Mao Yungang wiped the sweat from his forehead, but his eyes were very bright.

He pointed to the completed road section not far away: "Let's go, I will take the two of you to see our model project."

As he spoke, he led the way personally, introducing as they walked: "This section of the road uses the latest construction technology, the roadbed thickness is 30 centimeters, and the concrete grade is all configured to exceed standards..."

Arriving at the newly paved road section, Township Head Mao Yungang suddenly squatted down and patted the road surface heavily with his palm: "Listen to this sound, how solid it is!"

He looked up with his sun-reddened face, his eyes flashing with pride: "We just want to build a road to prosperity for the villagers that can withstand the test of time!"

Photographer Wang Lu quickly pressed the shutter, capturing this vivid moment.

In the lens, Township Head Mao Yungang was squatting on the brand-new road surface, with the road stretching into the distance behind him, and the distant green mountains like dark eyebrows, forming a moving picture.

Reporter Zhang Chen's pen tip slid quickly across the interview notebook, recording the simple yet passionate words of this grassroots cadre.

The hustle and bustle on the construction site gradually subsided.

Township Head Mao Yungang looked at his watch and enthusiastically suggested: "Two reporters, it is still early. Why don't I take you to see other highlight projects in our Guantian Township?"

He rubbed his dust-covered hands, his eyes full of pride: "In the first half of the year, we completed the renovation of dangerous houses in all primary schools in the township. The newly built classrooms are all equipped with glass blackboards and standard desks and chairs."

"There is also our Vegetable Base, which is the largest in the city, using new greenhouse planting technology."

"Not to mention the breeding farms and the Bean Products Factory, the scale of which is among the best in the provincial township enterprises."

Reporter Zhang Chen and Photographer Wang Lu exchanged a surprised look.

Photographer Wang Lu quietly tugged at Reporter Zhang Chen's sleeve and whispered: "If it's really as Township Head Mao says, we have struck gold."

Reporter Zhang Chen nodded slightly, his professional sensitivity making him feel that this might be a rare subject for an in-depth report.

"Township Head Mao, what you said is indeed exciting."

Reporter Zhang Chen closed the interview notebook and said seriously: "We would very much like to go and see these achievements in person."

After a pause, he added: "Especially wanting to interview the ordinary people who participated in these projects."

"That's great!"

Township Head Mao Yungang slapped his thigh and immediately called the driver to prepare the car.

...

Half an hour later, the car stopped in front of the brand-new gate of Qingshan Primary School.

Just after getting out of the car, a burst of crisp reading sounds drifted over.

Reporter Zhang Chen looked up. A three-story teaching building stood under the blue sky and white clouds. The beige exterior wall was particularly eye-catching in the sunlight, and the four red characters "Educating People for a Century" on the roof were shining brightly.

Township Head Mao Yungang led them familiarly through the corridor covered with students' handmade works.

Through the bright glass windows, one could see the children in the classroom sitting up straight while listening to the lesson, the brand-new blackboard wiped shiny, and the learning corner on the wall covered with neat pen calligraphy practice sheets.

"Last year, this was still a brick and tile house that leaked rain."

Township Head Mao Yungang gently stroked the corridor railing, full of emotion.

"In winter, the children's hands were frozen red when they were writing."

He pointed to the honor roll on the side of the playground: "Thanks to the donations from Mr. Tie Qichang, plus the funds raised by the township itself, we have what we have today."